Reasons for a Rabbit Savvy Vet
Rabbits should always have an annual exam, which will help detect problems early. Yearly blood work is always recommended to catch problems early, and to have a baseline to look back on when there are problems. Senior bunns can benefit from a bi-annual exam.
Why: Not all vets treat rabbits. Unfortunately there is often minimal teaching in vet school regarding exotics. Many vets will go on to have additional training or do a residence somewhere that allows them to learn more about them. Many vets are trained in cat and dog medicine and often do not know enough about rabbits to medically treat them properly. Many rabbit savvy vest will continue to educate themselves on new medicine, techniques and information through courses and seminars.
When: It is always a good idea to find a vet you feel comfortable with before you have an emergency. Rabbits should always have an annual exam which can help detect problems early.
How: We offer some recommended on this page. You can also try calling some local vets. Let reception know that you are looking for the very best veterinarian to care for your rabbit and that you would like to speak directly to the doctor at his/her convenience. Leave both your work and home phone number and specific times that the veterinarian can get ahold of you or ask what would be a good time for you to call back (when the veterinarian is between appointments).
Emergencies: You need to be prepared for emergency situations at night and on weekends, when your regular vet might not be at the clinic. This preparation starts with your regular veterinarian. What are the days and hours of operation? Some veterinarians keep extended hours on certain weekdays. Does your veterinarian refer to a certain emergency clinic? If your veterinarian works with many non-traditional animal species he/she will probably know which emergency facility in your area also treats these animals.
If you will have to go to another location with an out-of-hours rabbit emergency, have the name, address, phone number and directions posted prominently in your house. Make a trial run by driving to the facility at least once so you have an approximate idea of how long it will take you.
Ask lots of questions!
Following the pandemic, there have been staff changes at many clinics. Always call prior to booking and ask questions to ensure the clinic is the best fit for you and your rabbit. Is your rabbit savvy vet not listed? Email us to get your vet included: haviva@rabbitrescue.ca
Some guidelines
How many rabbits are seen each week?
Rabbits should make up a reasonable size of their practice (ie at least 10%)
How many years of experience does the vet have with rabbits?
Answer should be 10 years or more. If less than 10 years, experience vet should have completed successful surgery on 100 rabbits at a minimum. Experience makes a big difference with delicate animals like rabbits.
How many rabbits are spayed/neutered each week?
1 or more a week tells you that rabbits are part of the vet’s normal clientele
Do they fast rabbits before surgery?
Answer should be NO! They can eat right up until the surgery, but taking away greens morning of is normal.
Do they know what drugs are dangerous for rabbits?
IE Amoxicillin, Convenia, Clavamox
What type of gas anesthetic do they use?
Isoflurane or Sevoflurane is the only safe bunny gas
Have you lost any rabbits during routine surgeries?
How would you treat a hairball?
Surgery should be the very last alternative.
Are there other veterinarians in the practice that can treat your rabbit in case the primary vet is not available? And if not, then to whom do they refer these cases?
Does the vet refer difficult cases to anyone else?
How does the vet check molars?
With a bivalve speculum, otoscope, videoscope are the only acceptable answers. Visual inspection of the front teeth is not enough.
Are rabbits intubated when undergoing surgery?
The answer should be yes for any surgery not involving the mouth. It’s not uncommon for rabbits to be on a nose mask during a dental trimming due to the small working space in the mouth
Are rabbits monitored by both people and machines?
Yes! Problems with breathing are the most common cause for anesthetic complications in rabbits – rabbits should be connected to standard vital parameter monitors including EKG, CO2, sPO2 and blood pressure monitors plus have a dedicated vet technician monitoring them while under anesthesia.
Are pre-anesthetic screening tests recommended prior to anesthesia and surgery?
The answer should be Yes! Anesthetic drugs are processed by the kidneys and liver so blood screening is good medicine for any animal undergoing anesthesia. Xrays may also be recommended depending on the nature of the surgery and the age and health of the bunny.
Do bunnies go home with pain medicine after surgery?
The answer should be yes! Modern vets will send home oral medication to ensure the comfort of the pet after surgery.
Can you briefly meet with the vet prior to your first pet visit and/or have a brief tour of the hospital?
Recommended links
Find vet ratings for vets all over North America by clicking here.
Rabbit Savvy Vets and Clinics in Ontario
Acton
Black Creek Animal Hospital – 13383 4th Line, Acton, ON,L7J 1C1
Tel 519-929-9308
Dr. Debbie Hrynkiw
www.blackcreekanimalhospital.com
Belleville
Foster Park Pet Hospital – 213 Dundas St. E, Belleville, ON
Tel 613-969-2273
Dr. Bennett
www.fosterparkpethospital.ca
Bowmanville
Bowman Veterinary Clinic – 2826 King St E, Bowmanville, ON, L1C 3K5
Tel 905-623-4431
Dr. Korver
www.bowmanvilleveterinaryclinic.com
BRANTFORD
Scott Veterinary Clinic – 904 Colborne St, Brantford, ON N3S 3T4
Tel 519-752-3431
www.scottveterinaryclinic.vet
Windrush Veterinary Services – 26 Sixth Concession Rd, Brantford, ON N3T 5L7
Tel 519-449-5080
Dr. Sarah Murdoch
www.windrushvet.com
Caledon
Cheltenham Veterinary Centre – 13909 Hurontario Street, Caledon, ON
Tel 905-838-3451
Dr. David Kirkham
www.cheltenhamvet.ca
Cambridge
Preston Animal Clinic – 1606 King St. E, Cambridge, On, N3H 3R7
Tel 519-653-7232
Dr. Meghan Wallace & Dr. Amanda MacDonald
www.prestonanimalclinic.com
Guelph
Campus Estates Animal Hospital – 1460 Gordon St, Unit 1a, Guelph, Ontario, N1L 1C8
Tel 519-837-1212
www.petsandvets.ca
OPEN 24/7
HAMILTON
Upper Ottawa Animal Hospital – 686 Mohawk Rd E, Hamilton, Ontario, L8T 2R5 Tel 905-388-0770
www.upperottawaanimalhospital.com
KITCHENER
Kitchener South Animal Hospital – 2320 Fischer Hallman Road, Kitchener, ON N0B 2E0
Tel 519-696-2120
www.ksah.com
London
Sana Adelaide Animal Hospital – 500 Adelaide St N, London, ON N6B 3J2
Tel 226-636-0646
www.sanavet.ca
Wellington-Baseline Animal Hospital – 317 Wellington Rd., London, ON N6C 4P1 Tel 519-680-1951
www.wellingtonbaselineah.ca
Lynden
Lynden Animal Clinic – 847 Lynden Rd, Lynden, ON, L0R 1T0
Tel 519-647-3921
Dr. Brent Babcock
www.lyndenanimalclinic.com
Mississauga
Southdown Animal Clinic – 2106 Truscott Dr, Mississauga, ON, L5J 2A6
Tel 905-823-3900
www.southdownanimalclinic.com
NEWMARKET
VCA Canada 404 Veterinary Emergency and Referral Hospital – 510 Harry Walker Pkwy S, Newmarket, ON L3Y 0B3
Tel 905-953-1933
www.vcacanada.com/404emerg
Oakville
Abbey Animal Clinic -1131 Nottinghill Gate, Unit 204, Oakville, ON L6M 1K5
Tel 905-827-4100
www.abbeyanimalhospital.ca
Ottawa Area
Lynwood Animal Hospital – 30 Thorncliffe Place, Nepean, ON, K2H 6L2
Tel 613-820-0443
Dr. Tracey Poulton
www.lynwoodanimalhospital.ca
Liston Animal Hospital – 4055 Carling Ave, Kanata, ON
Tel 613-591-0966
Dr. Steve Liston
www.listonanimalhospital.ca
Carling Animal Hospital – 2268 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON
Tel 613-725-3439
www.carlinganimalhospital.com
Algonquin Animal Hospital – 1945 Baseline Road, Ottawa, ON K2C 0C7
Tel 613-224-5701
Dr. Diane Walker
www.algonquinanimalhospital.ca
Tenth Line Animal Hospital – 200 Vanguard Drive, Orleans, ON K4A 1A1
Tel 613-824-4500
Dr. Mobarak
www.tenthlineanimalhospital.ca
Owen Sound Area
Grey Bruce Pet Hospital – 905 7th St E, Owen Sound, ON, N4K 1K3
Tel 519-376-7387
Dr. Dave Gomez
www.greybrucepethospital.com
Pickering
Millennium City Veterinary Hospital – 1866 Liverpool Rd, Pickering, ON L1V 1W3
Tel 905-420-9555
www.millenniumcityvethospital.com
St. Catharines
Martindale Animal Clinic – 100 Fourth Ave, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3P2
Tel 905-682-5551
www.martindaleanimalclinic.com
Toronto
Animal Hospital of High Park – 325 Weston Rd, Unit 3A, York, ON M6N 4Z9
Tel 416-763-4200
www.animalhospitalhighpark.com
Beaches Animal Hospital – 2304 Queen St. East Toronto, ON M4E 1G8
Tel 416-690-4040
www.beachesanimalhospital.ca
Greenwood Park Animal Hospital – 1041 Gerrard St. East Toronto, ON M4M 1Z6
Tel 416-778-6666
www.greenwoodpah.ca
Jameson Queen Animal Hospital – 1516 Queen Street West Toronto, ON M6R 1A4
Tel 647-812-2627
www.jamesonqueen.com
WINDSOR
Downtown Veterinary Hospital – 154 Tuscarora St, Windsor, ON
Tel 519-258-9963
www.downtownvet.net
Fort Malden Animal Hospital – 280 Sandwich St, Amherstburg, ON
Tel 519-736-6472
www.fortmaldenanimalhospital.com